Two new arts buildings planned for Stanford's 'arts district'

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT (PUBL. 12/20/2011, PG. 2A)A story about Stanford's growing "arts district" incorrectly reported the nickname of Stanford University art donor Mary Margaret Anderson. It is Moo, not Boo.

Stanford University has unveiled plans for two major additions to its emerging "arts district," broadening the mission of a campus more famed for engineering than Expressionism.

The buildings -- one art museum and one academic building -- will join the Cantor Arts Center and Bing Concert Hall near the "front door" of the campus at Palm Drive.

"These wonderful new facilities will take the arts to new levels," said Matthew Tiews, executive director of Arts Programs at Stanford's School of Humanities & Sciences.

"They make sure that the experience of the arts and creativity is a fundamental part of Stanford's 21st century education," he said.

One building, a contemporary art museum open to the public, will feature 121 pieces by such famed artists as Rothko, Pollock and de Kooning.

The second building will be home to the university's Department of Art & Art History -- the first time Stanford's art studios and programs in film, media and art history are together under one roof.

The Bing Concert Hall, an 844-seat site for Stanford Lively Arts' live musical performances, is under construction and will be open to the public in January 2013.

Advertisement

At a time when many arts organizations are struggling, the new projects are a reminder of the university's deep reach into a network of prosperous benefactors. The downturn in the economy has reduced donations and foundation funding for many arts groups.

Because of such gifts, Stanford is in the middle of its biggest building boom ever. It recently unveiled a new medical school building, business school, stem-cell research center and engineering center. A bioengineering building will open in fall 2014.

The buildings will strengthen the Stanford Arts Initiative, a universitywide effort to enhance the arts and creativity -- and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with other fields on campus.

"They will be part of the experience for all Stanford students, not just those majoring in the arts," Tiews said.

Stanford Trustees gave concept and site approval -- the first two steps in the university's construction approval process -- to the two buildings earlier this month.

The buildings have not yet been designed, so no drawings are available.

The McMurtry Building, the future home of the Department of Art & Art History, will be located on Roth Way near the Cantor Arts Center. The building was named in honor of Burton "Burt" and Deedee McMurtry, longtime university donors, who provided a $30 million gift toward its creation.

Construction of the $85 million McMurtry Building is expected to begin in early 2013 and to be completed in the fall of 2015. The new 96,000-square-foot building will be located on land currently occupied by the vacant Anatomy Building, which will be demolished next spring.

The museum building for the Anderson Collection at Stanford University, which is one of the foremost collections of post-World War II American art, will be located on the corner of Lomita Drive and Campus Drive West, north of the Cantor Arts Center.

Construction of a $30.5 million museum building for the Anderson Collection is expected to begin in the fall of 2012 and to be completed in early 2014. The 30,000-square-foot building will be on property that is now vacant.

The core of the Anderson Collection -- 121 works by 86 artists -- is being donated to Stanford by Harry W. and Mary Margaret Anderson, and Mary Patricia Anderson Pence, the Bay Area family that has collected for nearly 50 years. Their collection represents such post-World War II art movements as Abstract Expressionism and Color Field.

"This is a major commitment, and we are very blessed," said Tiews. "Things are moving forward."

Contact Lisa M. Krieger at 408-920-5565.

Stanford's 'Arts DISTRICT'

McMurtry BuildingCost: $85 millionDonors: $30 million from Burton "Burt" (MS '59 and Ph.D. '62) and Deedee McMurtry. A former chair of the board of trustees, McMurtry founded VC partnerships Institutional Venture Associates and Technology Venture Investors, whose portfolio includes Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and Synopsys, among others.Design: Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with chief architect Boora ArchitectsConstruction starts: early 2013Anderson Collection buildingCost: $30.5 millionDonors: University-funded building. Art donated by Harry ("Hunk") W. and Mary ("Moo") Margaret Anderson, and daughter Mary Patricia Anderson Pence. They didn't attend Stanford. Mary went to D'Youville, Pence went to USC and Harry attended Hobart College in Buffalo, where he started a food services business with two partners while still a senior. At its height, his Saga Corporation ran food service contracts for more than 400 universities, colleges, hospitals and retirement homes; it was later sold to Marriott. Bay Area residents for 40 years, they said they were attracted to the availability of an entire building dedicated to their collection.Design: Ennead ArchitectsConstruction starts: fall 2012Bing Concert HallCost: $112 millionDonors: $50 million from Helen and Peter Bing, Stanford graduates of 1955. Helen Bing is an avid participant in Stanford's music programs. Peter is a physician and Southern California developer who also serves on Stanford's board of trustees.Design: Polshek Partnership Architects.Construction: complete in Jan. 2013